2025 has certainly been a year. Many would say that the past twelve months were hallmarked by division, upheaval and widespread change, and not for the better. Prices are still through the roof, there have been a record number of communities negatively and drastically impacted by climate change-caused natural disasters, and the American public watched — and fought back — as the federal government walked back longstanding funding, protections and policy on myriad issues including healthcare, public media, immigration and more.
At the same time, 2025 was also a year of coming together here on the Kenai Peninsula. Parents, teachers, students and elected officials worked to find the best path forward in a sea of bad options for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in the face of a $17 million deficit, a lack of savings and no promise of increased or sufficient funding from the state. Community members across the southern and central Kenai Peninsula joined others across the nation and gathered for a frankly impressive number of rallies this year on a variety of issues. The greater Homer community united behind local organizations impacted by sweeping federal cuts, including the Homer Community Food Pantry, KBBI AM 890, the Pratt Museum, local libraries and more. Multiple community members also stepped up to municipal office, seeking to serve their communities on local city councils, service area boards, or the borough assembly or school board.
The City of Homer saw some decent milestones this year as well. Some progress was made on the Homer All-Ages and Abilities Pathway and the community recreation center projects, with state officials coming out to conduct a site visit for the first and a preferred location selected at last for the latter. Homer also finally has a new, updated comprehensive plan and is working steadily on updating their zoning and planning code. A tentative plan for the Homer Harbor expansion project that should meet existing harbor demand was also selected.
A lot of things look different now than they did at the beginning of the year, including the landscape of local media on the Kenai Peninsula. While local reporting has once again gained a stronger foothold in Seward thanks to community efforts and support of the weekly Seward Folly, noticeable changes have occurred in radio and print journalism in the central and southern peninsula. Federal funding losses to public broadcasting, while anticipated and somewhat mitigated by increased community support and grants received by national nonprofit organizations, spelled out changes in programming and staffing to two of the peninsula’s community radio stations. Meanwhile, controversy stemming from a national story had local repercussions that decisively altered both the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion newsrooms.
Nevertheless, we persist.
Whatever 2026 may bring, let’s persist and face it together as a community.
January
Homer celebrated the start of 2025 with the seventh annual crowdfunded fireworks display on the Homer Spit.
Jasmine Marie Bunnell had the honor of being the first 2025 baby, born to parents Cory Singleton and Jack Bunnell on New Year’s Day.
The Homer Planning Commission also took up the question of amending zoning code to allow studios in additional zoning districts. Supporters of the amendment said that it would widen opportunities for business owners to operate in Homer and provide easier access to community members wishing to utilize those businesses. The amendment eventually passed.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education began conversations on how to mitigate a looming $17 million budget deficit.
The Anchor River flooded for at least the second time on Jan. 13, overtopping Anchor Point Road and washing over campgrounds in the Anchor River State Recreation Area. This flooding incident was due to ice dams on the river, and created flood depths up to 18 inches.
More than 50 community members gathered on a cold, rainy Saturday for the annual Women’s March on Homer, held concurrently with thousands of other Americans marching nationwide on Jan. 18. The 2025 march highlighted social justice and aimed to raise a collective voice in hope for a better future and the rights and safety of all.
Donald Trump was sworn into office for the second time on Jan. 20.
The 34th Alaska Legislature began Jan. 21, with newly-elected or reelected Kenai Peninsula legislators Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, and Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, swearing in and taking their seats on the first day of the session.
Local governments and nonprofit organizations across the peninsula reacted to a federal funding freeze announced Jan. 27 and scrambled to understand the possible impacts of the unexpected potential loss of previously-approved federal grants and loans.
KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland joined multiple other Alaska school districts near the end of January to ask the state legislature for increased state school funding. At that time, the district was considering cuts to staffing, programs and all sports, as well as closing buildings, to overcome a $17 million deficit created by stagnant school funding.
The Porcupine Theater held its long-awaited grand re-opening on Jan. 31 with live music, refreshments and entertainment provided during the gala.
February
The KPBSD Board of Education outlined a series of scenarios including the possible closure of up to nine schools in the district due to the budget deficit. At a meeting held Feb. 4, the board discussed scenarios that included closure of Homer Middle School, McNeil Canyon Elementary School, Moose Pass School, Nikiski Middle/High School, Nikolaevsk School, Paul Banks Elementary School, Seward Elementary School, Sterling Elementary School and Tustumena Elementary School. Then-board president Zen Kelly said that the conversation had to happen in the face of the overwhelming deficit, a lack of savings in the district budget and no assurance of increased funding from the state.
King salmon fishing on the Kenai River was closed entirely for the third year in a row by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, following a forecast that predicted both the early- and late-run return of Kenai River kings would be the second lowest to occur in the last 38 years.
Progress on the development of a new school facility for Kachemak-Selo moved forward a bit with the Kenai Peninsula Borough awarding a contract to a Soldotna company for the new school’s design.
Homer turned out in droves on a chilly winter Saturday for the 71st annual Winter Carnival Parade, hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce. The 2025 theme was “Sunshine and Snowflakes.”
Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr., pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Feb. 5 for the death of Brianna Hetrick, who was fatally shot in October 2023.
The Homer City Council approved Doyon, Limited’s requests, pertaining to the proposed Lighthouse Village development, to rezone one of their lots adjoining a neighborhood at the base of the Homer Spit from rural residential to General Commercial 1 and to vacate a portion of a right-of-way on B Street, also near the neighborhood.
The first draft of Homer’s updated comprehensive plan, then called the 2035 Homer Comprehensive Plan, was released by contractor Agnew::Beck and city project leaders during an open house on Feb. 11.
Homer High School hosted the first of three district-wide community meetings aimed at garnering public feedback on and sharing information about the school district’s budget development. About half of the seats in the roughly-500 capacity Mariner Theatre were filled with community members, teachers, school administrators, parents and children.
The Pratt Museum named Whitney Harness and Yarrow Hinnant as interim co-executive directors following the departure of former director Patty Relay.
The University of Alaska announced during a Board of Regents meeting held at Kenai Peninsula College that they would strip language referring to affirmative action, diversity, equity, inclusion and other associated terms from policies, programs, activities, job titles and more in compliance with federal executive orders. At the same meeting, the board reaffirmed their goal of promoting equal opportunity and equal access for everyone.
The Homer boys and girls ski teams swept the state meet on Feb. 22, winning Division II state titles each.
March
The KPB school district introduced three draft budget scenarios, based on different levels of state funding, outlining various cuts to staff and programming. Even at the highest level of funding, all three drafts still described significant cuts.
The school board also struck six of the nine schools considered for closure from their list. Still being considered for closure as of early March were Nikolaevsk School and Sterling and Tustumena Elementary Schools.
Ravn Alaska halted airline service to Homer effective March 4, citing an inability to arrive at an equitable agreement with the Homer Airport.
The Alaska Department of Transportation added amendments to the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to include a study on erosion mitigation for Homer Spit Road, following the winter storm damage that the road and businesses on the Homer Spit sustained in November and December 2024.
More than 400 community members turned out for the Stand for Democracy Rally on March 8 to protest the Trump administration’s sweeping federal actions since the presidential inauguration. The march, organized on International Women’s Day, was the first of many to follow throughout 2025.
Homer Soil and Water Conservation District manager Kyra Wagner spoke to Homer News about negative effects from the ongoing federal funding freeze, including impacts on programs related to invasive species, habitat and trails, native plants and agriculture.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Naushon was decommissioned during a ceremony held on the Homer Spit on March 21.
Mount Spurr gained statewide attention as it began showing signs of possible eruption. Located about 61 miles from Kenai and about 117 miles from Homer, the volcano had been listed under a yellow advisory status since October 2024. Data from March 7 and 11 showed anomalous gas emissions from the volcano, with elevated levels of volcanic gases at both the summit and Crater Peak.
Zach Weimann took home the championship trophy during the 31st Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament with a king salmon weighing in at 30.66 pounds. The last time the winning fish broke the 30-pound mark was in 2015, caught by Mike Olsen and weighing 30.4 pounds. Weimann’s king was also the largest caught in the tournament since 2013.
April
The New York-based Glenfarne Group announced that they were taking on a majority stake in and would lead development on the Alaska LNG project.
Libraries and museums across the Kenai Peninsula — as well as across the rest of the state and the entire U.S. — braced for funding losses after Trump signed an executive order seeking to dismantle the national Institute of Museum and Library Services, among several other government entities. The IMLS is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums nationwide. In March, small community libraries like those in Anchor Point, Ninilchik and Seldovia were uncertain of whether they would be able to keep their doors open without continued federal support.
Nikolaevsk advocated for keeping their school open at a community meeting held with KPBSD representatives on April 3. The school, originally built for 150 students, was being considered for closure due to historically low enrollment. Though the student population had increased to 23 since the COVID-19 pandemic — at which point only four students were enrolled — district representatives said that still might not be enough to keep the school open with the limited resources available to the district. Advocates for the school argued that Nikolaevsk had a plan and just needed more time to see further growth.
Around 700 central and southern Kenai Peninsula residents — about 300 in Soldotna and 400 in Homer — joined the nationwide Hands Off! protest decrying actions taken by the Trump administration, including drastic cuts to federal spending and a then-recent announcement that the U.S. would levy steep tariffs against countries around the world.
The Homer Senior Center board of directors unanimously voted to pursue Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 16, following then-recent discoveries of hundreds of thousands of dollars of unpaid payroll taxes and invoices and other financial discrepancies. The board’s decision in April allowed the nonprofit to restructure its debt while continuing to remain in operation.
The Pratt Museum received noticed from IMLS acting director Keith Sonderling that a federal grant previously awarded to the museum was being terminated early, leaving them short $9,000 of owed funds.
Kachemak Crane Watch reported in late March and early April that the first cranes of the year had been spotted returning to Kachemak Bay.
More than 600 local residents gathered at WKFL Park to again protest the Trump administration during the “Sustained Resistance Makes a Difference” rally on April 19.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy successfully vetoed a bill containing a permanent increase to the base student allocation — or the amount of funding each school district receives per student from the state — for the second year in a row after the Alaska State Legislature upheld his veto of House Bill 69. Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, voted to override Dunleavy’s veto. Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski and Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, all voted to support the veto.
The Fritz Creek General Store reopened under new ownership on April 24, after undergoing significant renovations. The building suffered a structural fire in July 2023 and had been closed since.
Homer resident Daniel Bunker and Anchorage resident Jenny Miller were killed in a plane crash near the Nanwalek airport on April 28. A third individual was hospitalized with serious injuries.
South Peninsula Haven House held their first annual observation of Denim Day on April 30. As part of the nonprofit’s participation in the international sexual assault prevention campaign, leaders from the City of Homer, Haven House and members of the community gathered at the Homer Chamber of Commerce to witness the presentation of Homer’s Denim Day Prevention Proclamation, which was signed by Homer Mayor Rachel Lord, Homer Police Department Chief Mark Robl, Homer United Methodist Church’s then-Pastor Lisa Talbott and Homer Women of Action’s Sandra Garity.
May
The KPBSD board voted May 5 to close Nikolaevsk School at the end of June. Though each board member voted in favor of the closure, nearly 15 seconds passed in silence when then-board president Zen Kelly asked for a motion to enact the move. Ultimately, Kelly made the motion himself.
Camping at Karen Hornaday Park reopened for the first time since 2022, when the campground was closed due to issues with vandalism and drug use.
Shane Blakely won the 30th annual Anchor Point King Salmon Tournament with a 19.8 pound salmon.
Kachemak Bay Campus conferred 49 degrees and certificates during its 55th annual commencement on May 7.
The Alaska State Legislature successfully overrode Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 57 in a 46-14 vote. The bill, which would increase per-student state funding by $700 and implement a slew of policy changes, needed 40 votes for the override to pass.
Four seniors graduated from Voznesenka School in a small but heartfelt ceremony at Land’s End on May 19.
The Homer City Council established a fund through the Homer Foundation to help raise money for a future new community recreation center.
The council also voted down a resolution that would have introduced special event fees for those looking to host gatherings in city-maintained spaces after receiving largely-negative community feedback during a public hearing.
Six seniors from Ninilchik School graduated on May 20.
Homer High School graduated 69 students during a commencement ceremony on May 21.
Homer Flex High School graduated 11 students on May 21 during a ceremony at Land’s End.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, visited the Kenai Peninsula during a whirlwind Alaska tour on Memorial Day weekend. He met with City of Homer leadership to discuss the ongoing Homer Harbor expansion project, visited the Homer Senior Center, sat down for an interview with Homer News to discuss statewide projects and budget concerns, and finished off the day by attending a community meeting at the VFW Post 10221 in Anchor Point, where he spoke with constituents and answered some of their questions.
The Homer girls’ track team captured the Division II state title during the state track meet at Dimond High School in Anchorage at the end of May.
June
Public radio stations on the Kenai Peninsula, including KBBI AM 890 and KDLL 91.9 FM, grappled with what an executive order passed by the Trump administration to rescind approved federal funding and halt future federal funding would mean for their continued operations. KDLL executive director Jenny Neyman said at the time that they’d “never felt a threat like this before.”
The Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums department notified Alaska libraries on June 3 that IMLS grant funding may soon be awarded — a relief for many small community libraries, who were cautiously optimistic at the announcement.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce held their first annual HarborFest on the Homer Spit, featuring live music, food, vendors and the return of the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and the Homer City Council passed commendations for Roberta Highland, a longtime Homer resident who had significant impact on several local groups, organizations and community members during her lifetime, and who passed away on April 24 at the age of 75.
Approximately 20 people, including several local veterans, gathered at WKFL Park on the 81st anniversary of D-Day to remember those who fought to liberate Europe from fascism and to call for continued support of veterans amid job losses and benefit cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
A longtime Soldotna resident and business owner accused of being in the country illegally was seized by the Department of Homeland Security and taken out of state to a federal detention center in Washington. Though he was ordered released from custody in April by a federal chief magistrate judge, by June he was still being held in detention in what his attorney wrote was a violation of his rights.
Pools, school theaters and libraries across the district were in jeopardy amidst looming budget cuts, as the state legislature continued fighting over instituting an increase in state school funding. Many pool, theater and library technicians employed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District lost their jobs and healthcare coverage following an unexpected termination notice sent out by the district on June 6.
Gov. Dunleavy issued a veto in the state budget on June 12 to reduce state school funding per students by $200. An education bill passed earlier by the Alaska State Legislature implemented a permanent $700 increase to the base-student allocation. After Dunleavy’s veto, that amount was reduced to $500 for the next fiscal year, representing a roughly $50 million cut to education funding compared to 2024, when districts received a one-time funding increase to the BSA equalling $680 per student.
Around 700 community members gathered locally to participate in the first nationwide “No Kings” protest on June 14. More than 25 towns across Alaska joined approximately 2,000 demonstrations in all 50 states. According to reporting by NPR, organizers estimated that more than 5 million people attended protests nationwide.
The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research reserve became the latest local organization on the chopping block due to proposed federal funding cuts. A pre-decisionary memo on budgetary cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed no federal funding for NERRs in fiscal year 2026.
Homer residents, health care advocates and health care workers gathered on June 18 to speak out against proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act that were included in a version of the “One Big Beautiful” budget reconciliation bill that had then-recently passed the House. Health care advocates said that the cuts would put South Peninsula Hospital, the Homer health care system and other rural hospitals across Alaska at risk of eliminating key services or shutting down entirely.
The KPB Assembly voted 8-1 to fund district schools to the maximum allowable amount for the 2025-2026 school year, in the wake of reduced state funding compared to the previous year. The budget amendment increased borough funding for schools from $57 million to $62 million.
Planned cuts to pool managers were reversed in a KPBSD draft budget near the end of June, though the district’s finance committee said they needed to see a solution next year that takes the pools out from district management.
The Kachemak Bay Running Club held the annual Homer Spit Run 10K race and Cosmic Hamlet Half Marathon near the end of June, drawing nearly 250 participants locally and from across the state and Lower 48.
July
The KPBSD Board of Education finalized a budget that described deep cuts to classrooms, activities, programs and the district office to meet the steep $17 million deficit driven by declining state funding.
Community parades were held in Homer and Anchor Point in celebration of the Fourth of July holiday. The Homer parade, organized by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, had the theme “Bloom Homer Bloom” in honor of the local peony industry. Rita Jo Schoultz, owner of Alaska Perfect Peony, was the 2025 parade grand marshal.
Cook Inletkeeper and environmentalist partners filed a lawsuit opposing a proposed gold mine on inholdings in Lake Clark National Park across the bay. The project is located at the headwaters of the Johnson River, on nearly 21,000 acres of land privately owned by the Native corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. According to Cook Inletkeeper, if the mine advanced, it would adversely affect critical habitat areas and wildlife populations as well as longtime businesses owned and operated by local stakeholders.
The Homer Elks Lodge won national recognition during the Elks Grand Lodge National Convention in Missouri on July 1. The Homer lodge is the first in the state to receive first place in the Division III All-American Lodge contest.
KBBI AM 890’s annual Concert on the Lawn drew hundreds to Karen Hornaday Park and more listeners beyond that to the live radio broadcast on July 12. Always a fundraiser for the local media station, this year’s concert also served as a reminder to listeners and attendees to advocate for continued federal funding for public broadcasting, as Congress reviewed the Trump administration’s request to rescind federal funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
The Homer High School Class of 1975 came together for a weekend of celebration and remembrance at their 50th reunion.
Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr., was sentenced in accordance with a plea agreement to 15 years in prison and 10 years’ probation for the fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick, 22, which occurred in October 2023.
Congress approved Trump’s $1.1 billion rescission request and zeroed out all federal funding for public broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, effective Oct. 1, 2025. KBBI AM 890 and KDLL 91.9 FM both said that the rescission represented the loss of 40% of each of their annual budgets, and that while both stations intended to continue operations as long as possible and seek other funding means elsewhere, changes would have to be made to programming and staffing.
Ninilchik residents met during a community meeting to consider creating a recreation service area to fund the Ninilchik School pool and other services. The measure to create the service area would be placed on the ballot for voters to decide.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced on July 25 that the U.S. Department of Education would finally release federal education funding frozen by the Trump administration. KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland said that to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District alone, the frozen funding represented a loss of around $3 million.
August
Less than a month after wrapping up conversations about school closures for the current school year, the KPBSD board began talks about what schools might be closed in the 2026-2027 school year. This year the district closed Nikolaevsk School and nearly closed Sterling Elementary School. Then-board president Zen Kelly said that going forward the board would develop a framework of key considerations to guide closure decisions.
The Alaska Legislature eked out an override of Gov. Dunleavy’s June 12 veto of education funding in the state budget on the first day of a special session he called. After the successful override, the $700 permanent BSA increase was restored and education funding stood at a slightly better level than it had when the KPBSD finalized their budget for the year.
The KPBSD board said, following the veto override, that they would need some time to figure out what an education funding increase of $3 million would mean locally.
The candidate filing period for the October borough and municipal elections opened. Between city councils in Homer, Kenai, Soldotna and Seward, the borough assembly and the school district board, there were 19 seats up for grabs in the fall election. Near the end of the election filing period, however, few candidates had filed, with most filing in the last couple of days in the period.
Homer’s Civil Air Patrol participated in a statewide disaster response exercise, using high frequency radios to communicate with others in the Alaska network under the scenario that a massive earthquake hit Alaska and required emergency response.
The Homer City Council voted down an ordinance that would have created a ballot proposition asking voters whether the city should continue a percentage of city sales tax to fund a new community recreation center, following mixed feedback from the community that the project was not yet at a point for this kind of decision.
Community members in Homer and Soldotna joined multiple other protests throughout the state in response to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s meeting with President Trump in Anchorage. The meeting, aimed to resolve the Russo-Ukrainian War, was announced abruptly by Trump on social media, and ended earlier than expected without announcing a breakthrough in negotiations to end Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.
Six candidates filed for three available seats on the Homer City Council, while 11 filed for five seats on the KPB Assembly.
Homer Harbor expansion project leaders announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had tentatively selected an alternative for the harbor design which would meet existing harbor needs and demands by adding a new exterior harbor and relocating some vessels from the small boat harbor to that exterior harbor.
The Planning Commission held the first public hearing on the 2045 Homer Comprehensive Plan draft.
Lori Jenkins, owner of Synergy Gardens, was crowned the 2025 Zucchini Queenie during the annual Zucchini Festival at the Homer Farmers Market.
The KPB Assembly approved an ordinance to finance and approve the purchase of four Homer properties for $2.1 million for South Peninsula Hospital use and expansion.
An ultra-endurance long-range drone sparked local curiosity when it crashed on the beach near Ninilchik on Aug. 20. A spokesperson for U.S. Northern Command said that that the drone, registered to Vanilla Unmanned, was taking part in Arctic Edge 2025, an annual joint defense exercise conducted by NORAD and USNORTHCOM.
September
Heavy rainfall caused a washout on the northbound shoulder of the Sterling Highway at Mile 157.
The third annual Run for Recovery, organized by Kachemak Bay Recovery Connection, drew 48 participants. More than 100 community members gathered at the Deep Water Dock in support of the runners and the event.
The school board authorized $1.8 million in new, restored spending to its budget for the current fiscal year in response to the increase in funding received from the state this year.
The 22nd annual Homer Burning Basket, themed “OPEN,” drew hundreds to Mariner Park on the Homer Spit to witness the basket’s burning after a week of construction and creation.
The state issued an alert for toxic shellfish found in Kachemak Bay during the first week of September. The alert stated that shellfish from the inner bay were found to contain amounts of toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning above the regulatory limit that is considered safe for human consumption.
Later, the Harmful Algal Bloom Network released preliminary results from their toxin testing on Kachemak Bay shellfish that found blue mussels gathered from Homer Harbor on Sept. 4 tested at over double the regulatory limit for paralytic shellfish toxins.
A press release from Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office on Sept. 12 applauded the passage of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025.
Homer High School celebrated homecoming with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme this year.
The VFW Post 10221 in Anchor Point honored those who lost their lives on 9/11 in a ceremony marking the 24th commemoration of Patriot Day. The VFW also held a ceremony of remembrance for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action in September.
The Homer Public Library and other libraries across this state this year received the traditional $7,000 Public Library Assistance Grant funds from the Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums department with no issue.
The Homer library also updated their policies to begin suspended accounts with overdue items, effective Sept. 29, in order to further streamline the library’s circulation of materials.
Candidates vying for seats in the October elections participated in a series of election forums hosted by the Peninsula Clarion, KDLL 91.9 FM, Homer News, KBBI AM 890 and the Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters.
Community members gathered on the beach near Homer on Sept. 17 to hold a vigil for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10. The vigil was organized in part by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer and another community member.
Following reporting by the Homer News on the vigil, Vance submitted a letter to publisher John Carr decrying the article and alleging the existence of a boycott that would result in financial and reputational repercussions for the newspaper. The article was subsequently taken down from the Homer News website by management at Carpenter Media Group, Homer News’ parent company, who later edited and reposted the article. Vance thanked the newspapers’ owners on social media for the changes thta were made to the article. In light of these actions, multiple reporters and editors at both the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion submitted their resignations, effective two weeks from time of notice. In the resignation letter, they stated, “We cannot do our jobs knowing that pressure from an elected official can mean our stories are edited without prior consultation with us.” The resignations were accepted by CMG management immediately, leaving one in-state reporter on the Kenai Peninsula for both papers.
On Sept. 28, more than 100 community members gathered at WKFL Park for an impromptu rally in support of community journalism and constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of the press.
October
The Homer City Council maintained the status quo following the Oct. 7 City of Homer election, with all three incumbent candidates retaining their seats.
Multiple seats on the KPBSD Board of Education were claimed by new candidates.
Josiah Kelly was sentenced on Oct. 1 for charges related to three separate shootings into the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic and Kachemak Bay Recovery Connection in October and November 2024.
The Pratt Museum rolled out the red carpet for their annual gala fundraiser, held this year at the Porcupine Theater.
The Homer City Council selected two city-owned properties near the town center as the preferred location for a future community recreation center.
Grubby, the Virginia opossum who caused a stir with her arrival in Homer in 2023 after stowing away on a shipping container traveling from Washington state to Spenard Builders Supply, passed away due to old age on Oct. 11. Grubby had been relocated to the Alaska Zoo, where she happily lived out the remainder of her days as part of an exhibit on invasive species.
More than 100 people attended citizen’s town hall meeting at Kachemak Bay Campus focused on rights established in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and on the separation of church and state.
Nearly 800 Kenai Peninsula residents gathered at the intersection of Lake Street and the Sterling Highway for the second “No Kings” protest to occur this year, joining millions more across the U.S. and internationally taking part in dozens of concurrent protests.
The Homer High School Mariners varsity football team brought home the Division III State Champions title for the second year in a row after defeating the Barrow Whalers 20-0 on Oct. 18 in Wasilla.
Local and visiting researchers, along with city and state agency representatives, discussed landslide hazard mitigation and demonstrated a community sharing of knowledge during a forum held at Kachemak Bay Campus.
The City of Homer hired Daniel Jager as the new Homer Volunteer Fire Department chief, effective Oct. 20.
The Homer City Council held the first public hearing on the draft 2045 Homer Comprehensive Plan.
City of Homer staff met with state partners from the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Division of Natural Resources to discuss the Homer All-Ages and Abilities Pathway project, a planned pedestrian route that received federal funding last year and aims to connect existing sidewalk routes and create greater non-motorized transportation access in Homer.
Dinosaurs roamed the streets of downtown Homer, as did princesses, cowboys, minions and more on Halloween during the Homer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pioneer Avenue Trick or Treat.
The annual Haunted Aspen experience and food drive for the Homer food pantry was cancelled due to the government shutdown.
November
The Homer Community Food Pantry told Homer News in a Nov. 4 interview that they were seeing impacts from the federal government shutdown and loss of SNAP benefits. Due to rising costs and uncertainty in continued provision from longtime federal programs, food pantry volunteers were working harder to fulfill increased community need and, in turn, needed community support more than ever.
The City of Homer and project leaders from consulting firm Agnew::Beck held a community open house to review and discuss ongoing updates to Title 21, Homer’s zoning and planning code. The Title 21 updates are the second part of the comprehensive plan rewrite process.
Whitney Harness was named as the Pratt Museum’s permanent executive director, following an interim period throughout much of 2025 in which she shared the role with co-interim executive director Yarrow Hinnant. Hinnant continues in his role as the museum’s curator of botanical exhibits.
Members of the American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 10221, Civil Air Patrol and Homer Emblem Club #350, as well as local veterans or current military members, marched in a parade in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
The KPBSD board narrowly approved an initial application for a Nikolaevsk charter school, an effort which Nikolaevsk community members had been seeking in various forms for several years. The application next goes to the State Board of Education and Early Development for review.
The Homer Community Food Pantry raised $14,000 during their annual Empty Bowl fundraiser.
After nearly two years of community collaboration, three public hearings and multiple lengthy discussions between council members and city staff, the Homer City Council finally adopted the 2045 Homer Comprehensive Plan. The plan will next go to the Kenai Peninsula Borough for review and adoption.
December
The annual Homer “Nutcracker” ballet returned to the Mariner Theatre stage on Dec. 6, coinciding once again with Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Nutcracker Faire, held Dec. 6-7 at Homer High School.
The Homer Senior Center executive director and board president sat for an interview with Homer News and shared that after the last year of turmoil, they were on more stable financial ground with a plan worked out with the federal government to repay the center’s substantial debt, held over from a previous administration, and avenues for continued operations and future growth.
Fifty-five runners came out, despite the cold and ice, for the annual Turkey Trot held Thanksgiving morning by the Kachemak Bay Running Club. While the official race was moved inside Homer High School due to icy track conditions, many runners chose to race on the usual course at their own risk. The race, also a food drive for the Homer food pantry, brought in nearly 150 cans of food.
A spokesperson for a proposed new skate park project sat for an interview with Homer News and discussed the groups behind the project, fundraising efforts and the future vision for a professionally-completed concrete skate park in Homer, the only one of its kind on the Kenai Peninsula.
The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources sought public opinion in response to a proposal to establish a Kenai Peninsula State Forest. State law says that only the Alaska State Legislature can designate a state forest, so multiple community meetings were held to garner public interest to potentially forward the proposal to state lawmakers. One of those meetings, held virtually via Microsoft Teams, saw mixed feedback from the public.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce held their annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, featuring a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus courtesy of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, live music by the Homer High School Choir and the KP Brass Band, hot drinks and snacks sponsored by the Homer Electric Association and crafts for kids.
Homer Drawdown elected to tackle food and municipal waste streams in their fourth climate solution.
The school district projected a $7.5 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2027, anticipating lower state funding due to a projected decrease in student enrollment and other factors.
The USCG cutter Aspen returned to Homer to host the first ever “Jolly Aspen,” a Christmas-themed experience for families and children as well as a food drive for the Homer food pantry, since the Aspen’s regular annual Halloween experience and food drive was cancelled due to the federal government shutdown.
The Homer Cycling Club received a $250,000 grant to help complete the second phase of a project to establish a multi-use trail system in the state park on this side of Kachemak Bay.
The pretrial hearing for Kirby Calderwood, the man indicted for the 2019 abduction and murder of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, was continued to Jan. 21 to allow for the finalization of a plea agreement between the defense and prosecution. A spokesperson for Murnane’s family said that the best outcome for all concerned would be the negotiated settlement of the case as outlined by the prosecution to the family in late October.
The Homer Hockey Association and South Peninsula Hospital sponsored a free community skate on Christmas Eve at Kevin Bell Arena. The event featured a visit from Santa, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a holiday skating performance, and also served as a food drive benefiting the Homer Community Food Pantry.
That’s it for 2025, folks — look for more community news coverage in the new year.
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Community members participate in the Homer Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025., in Homer, Alaska
Johnny B., part of the Cosmic Creature Club, plays the piano on The Porcupine’s stage during the theater’s grand re-opening gala on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Krewe of Gambrinus, costumed for the “Sunshine and Snowflakes” theme, marches in the 71st annual Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Kincaid)
The crew of the Naushon stands at the ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025 on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Tournament champion Zach Weimann holds up his first-place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska.
Chloe Pleznac/Homer News Former Alaska State House Representative Paul Seaton holds a sign that reads “Hands Off Healthcare” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally.
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Ethno-ornithologist and festival keynote speaker Dr. Ben Mirin (left) walks teaching assistant Jim Herbert (center) and another workshop participant through using a parabola microphone to capture audio of birds and other nature sounds during his wildlife sound recording session during the 2025 Shorebird Festival on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska.
South Peninsula Haven House Prevention Coordinator Marcee Gray holds up a Denim Day sign with this year’s slogan, “Use Your Voice,” during the first annual Haven House observation of Denim Day on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Darren Tivnan, Class of 2025 valedictorian, speaks to his fellow graduates during the 55th annual commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Brightly Thoning and Beatrix McDonough deliver their valedictorian and salutatorian address during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 in the Alice Witte Gymnasium. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Chloe Pleznac/Homer News Graduating senior Rainey Sundheim hugs choral director Kyle Schneider as he presents her with her diploma during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 in the Alice Witte Gymnasium.
Happy customers pose for a photo in the Fritz Creek General Store on it’s reopening day on Thursday, April 24. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Swimmers and parents protest the proposed closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools outside of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Demonstrators stand with signs during the “No Kings” protest in Homer, Alaska on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A Trump puppet by local artist Charles Aguilar floats above the crowd during the “No Kings” protest at WKFL Park on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion Homer’s Gracie Miotke wins the 100-meter dash Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Division II state track meet at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska .
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to Anchor Point residents during a community meeting held at the Virl “Pa” Haga VFW Post 10221 on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Anchor Point,Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Community members in the “Bee the Change” group dance in front of the Bay Realty judging station during the Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Discopians make their Concert on the Lawn debut on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Illg Attendees of the Homer Public Library’s End of Summer Reading Party enjoy playing games like giant chess on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The event also featured other games and activities, live music by the Shamwari Marimba Ensemble, and prizes, including for the winner of the Lego contest held during the summer reading program.
Cook Inletkeeper communications director (center) Jamie Currie shares salmon trivia with Salmonfest attendees in the Causeway on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik,Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Protestors hold signs in support of Ukraine at the intersection of Lake Street and the Sterling Highway on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025., in Homer, Alaska
Former Homer News editor Michael Armstrong (left) speaks to a crowd of more than 100 community members gathered on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The “impromptu” rally was held in support of community journalism and constitutional rights to free speech. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News More than 100 community members, including former Homer News editor Michael Armstrong (right center), hold signs of protest on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The “impromptu” rally was held in support of community journalism and constitutional rights to free speech.
(from left to right) Jim Anderson, serving as master of ceremonies, announces the winners of the quilt raffle alongside Pratt Museum board member Kate McGregor and board treasurer Jennifer Bartolowits during the Pratt Museum’s Red Carpet Ritz fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at the Porcupine Theaterin Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Boyd and Marie Walker win “Best Couple” in the costume contest during the Pratt Museum’s Red Carpet Ritz fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at the Porcupine Theater in Homer, Alaska.
Ophelia the Virginia opossum, affectionately called “Grubby” by Homer locals, passed away due to complications from old age on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage,Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Zoo
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Ash-Lee Waddell (left), candidate for the District 9 seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, holds a campaign sign and waves with supporters to passersby along the Sterling Highway in Homer, Alaska, on Election Day, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
Election workers Susie Myhill (right) and Charlie Franz help voters before they cast their ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Families in costumes walk down the sidewalk on their way to different businesses participating in Pioneer Avenue Trick or Treat on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025., in Homer, Alaska
Trick-or-treaters visit a table at Kachemak Bay Campus for treats during Pioneer Avenue Trick or Treat on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A volunteer dishes up soup during the Homer Community Food Pantry’s annual Empty Bowl fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the Homer United Methodist Church in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A family eats together at a table in the Homer United Methodist Church during the Homer Community Food Pantry’s annual Empty Bowl fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Photo courtesy Matthew Smith Runners of all ages gather for a photo in the Homer High School Commons after the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. Due to icy outdoor conditions, the official run was moved to the high school halls.
Kids visit with Santa aboard the USCGC Aspen during the inaugural “Jolly Aspen” holiday event and food drive on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kids visit with Santa aboard the USCGC Aspen during the inaugural “Jolly Aspen” holiday event and food drive on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Photo provided by Whitney Harness Milli Martin (left), the Homer Society of Natural History, Inc. Board Vice President, and Santa George Cutting III pose for a photo in the Pratt Museum Harrington Cabin on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Santa arrives to the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Homer Chamber of Commerce atop a Homer Volunteer Fire Department fire truck on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Santa arrives to the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Homer Chamber of Commerce atop a Homer Volunteer Fire Department fire truck on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Santa and Mrs. Claus listen to children’s request for Christmas presents during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska.
Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Santa and Mrs. Claus listen to children’s request for Christmas presents during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska.
